Kitchen Renovation Mistakes You Can Avoid

ENSURE YOUR KITCHEN RENOVATION GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH BY AVOIDING THESE COMMON PITFALLS!

APPLIANCES SHOULDN'T BE AN AFTER THOUGHT

It is important to select appliances before designing a new kitchen so that the design can incorporate the appliances correctly. This means ensuring that the designer and cabinet maker have all the measurements and that space is left for product services like plumbing, venting and electrical. These often require more depth then the specifications suggest in order to fit properly. Designing around your appliances also allows you to ensure the correct appliances are used for the space. For example, a hood fan or downdraft that is too long or uses the wrong duct size will not allow for adequate air flow, causing issues with smoke alarms going off. - Bruce Johnstone, www.alpinecanada.com

NEW ISN’T NECESSARILY BEST

Ask yourself how much do you need to change. Are structural/layout changes necessary or are you just looking for a cosmetic update? If you're happy with the layout of your kitchen and your cabinets are structurally sound, refacing (replacing doors with new styles and professionally refinishing the rest to match) or refinishing (professionally refinishing existing cabinets and doors) are a good alternative to tearing out and replacing your cabinets. Not only is there less waste, but it's more affordable! - Granite Transformations, www.granitetransformations.com

CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL

There are a lot of details that go into ensuring your kitchen is both stylish and functional. Even if you are fairly handy and want to do much of the project management yourself, it's worthwhile to consult with a professional design expert to help fine tune your remodel/renovation plan. They can offer tips and advice, often recommending ideas and considered! - Lucy Cortese, www.beyondmarbleandgranite.com

BUDGET TIME & MONEY WISELY

The two areas that homeowners are most likely to underestimate their requirements are in budget and time space.

Many homeowners assume a kitchen renovation can be designed, organized and ordered in a short period of time. Quality trades and designers are often booked 3-6 months in advance and once a project starts, it can take 6-8 weeks to complete (up to 8-12 weeks during the peak renovation season in spring/summer).

Homeowners also tend to overestimate their budget, falling in love with images they see online before really considering what they can afford. It is important to set a budget and then shop around to see what your dream kitchen will really cost. While it may be possible to build your dream kitchen on a smaller budget, it may require compromising quality which will cost you later on. It is important to set a budget that you are comfortable with, be transparent with the designer and contractor about your budget, and then allow them to guide you in selecting options that will result in a kitchen you love without compromising quality. - Tetiana Paratchuk, www.kitchenland.ca

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